Particulate material dispensing device

Abstract

A dispensing device for automatically dispensing measured amounts of particulate material which includes supply means for supplying a quantity of the particulate material and a chute for receiving the particulate material from the supply means. A reciprocating pusher means is positioned in the chute for controlling the amount of particulate material dispensed from the supply means and for discharging the dispense particulate material from the chute. A distribution hopper receives the particulate material from the chute and discharges it to a reciprocating measuring plate having a plurality of removable measuring inserts therein whereby the particulate material is received in cavities in the inserts. As the measuring plate is moved forwardly, the particulate material passes through a control plate having a plurality of slots therein and is deposited in a plurality of mask hoppers for ultimate dispensing. When the dispensing device is used in combination with a conveyor means carrying articles to be coated with the particulate material, the particulate material is then dispensed from the mask hoppers onto the articles to be coated. A vertically movable plate may be utilized for pressing the particulate material into the articles.

I claim: 
     
       1. A dispensing device for automatically dispensing measured amounts of particulate material comprising: supply means for supplying a quantity of particulate material;   a chute for receiving said particulate material from said supply means;   automatic reciprocating pusher means in said chute for controlling the amount of said particulate material dispensed from said supply means and for discharging said dispensed particulate material from said chute;   a distribution hopper for receiving said particulate material from said chute;   a reciprocating measuring plate having a plurality of openings therein for receiving said particulate material in said openings from said distribution hopper; and   a plurality of mask hoppers for receiving said particulate material from said measuring plate openings and subsequently dispensing said particulate material.   
     
     
       2. A dispensing device as recited in claim 1 which further includes a control plate having a plurality of slots therein; said control plate being positioned between said measuring plate and said mask hoppers with said slots positioned over said mask hoppers. 
     
     
       3. A dispensing device as recited in claim 1, wherein a measuring insert having a cavity therein is mounted in each of said measuring plate openings for receiving said particulate material. 
     
     
       4. A dispensing device as recited in claim 3, wherein each of said measuring inserts is removable and interchangeable, whereby inserts having different sized cavities may be used to vary the quantity of particulate material received by said masking hoppers. 
     
     
       5. A dispensing device as recited in claim 1, wherein each of said mask hoppers is provided with a mask having an opening therein, said mask being removable and interchangeable whereby masks having different sized openings may be used. 
     
     
       6. A dispensing device as recited in claim 1 which further includes a scraper plate on the front of said distribution hopper to scrape off any excess particulate material on said measuring plate as said measuring plate is moved forwardly. 
     
     
       7. A dispensing device as recited in claim 1 which further includes means for vibrating said measuring plate. 
     
     
       8. A dispensing device as recited in claim 1 which further includes air cylinders of adjustable speed and stroke for reciprocating said pusher means and said measuring plate. 
     
     
       9. A dispensing device as recited in claim 1, wherein said measuring plate has a groove along each side thereof and said distribution hopper is provided with an extension at the bottom of each side end thereof which is slidably engaged with one of said grooves. 
     
     
       10. A dispensing device as recited in claim 1 which is adapted to operate in combination with conveyor means for conveying articles to be coated with said particulate material and wherein said dispensing device further includes a vertically movable plate for pressing said particulate material into said articles on said conveyor means after said articles have been coated with said particulate material. 
     
     
       11. A dispensing device as recited in claim 10, wherein said plate is provided with a facing of soft material. 
     
     
       12. A dispensing device for automatically dispensing measured amounts of particulate material comprising: supply means for supplying a quantity of particulate material;   a chute for receiving said particulate material from said supply means;   automatic reciprocating pusher means in said chute for controlling the amount of said particulate material dispensed from said supply means and for discharging said dispensed particulate material from said chute;   a distribution hopper for receiving said particulate material from said chute;   a reciprocating measuring plate having a plurality of openings therein;   a removable measuring insert having a cavity therein mounted in each of said measuring plate openings for receiving said particulate material from said distribution hopper;   a control plate having a plurality of slots therein through which said particulate material passes when said measuring plate is moved forwardly; and   a plurality of mask hoppers for receiving and subsequently dispensing said particulate material which passes through said control plate slots.   
     
     
       13. A dispensing device as recited in claim 12, wherein each of said mask hoppers is provided with a removable mask. 
     
     
       14. A dispensing device as recited in claim 12 which is adapted to operate in combination with conveyor means for conveying articles to be coated with said particulate material and wherein said dispensing device further includes a vertically movable plate for pressing said particulate material into said articles on said conveyor means after said articles have been coated with said particulate material.